It was a big week for celebrations at 5 Church Hill Road. As mentioned last week, Tuesday was World Bee Day. As mentioned in this space last week, May 20 is the annual day of observance because it coincides with the birthday in 1734 of Anton Janša, a pioneer of beekeeping from Slovenia. The purpose of the international day is to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem. As we were reminded on Tuesday (and most days), everyone needs bees!

It was also the first day back in the office for Sam Cross, who had big party on Saturday ahead of graduating on Monday from Western Connecticut State University. She has earned her Master’s in Fine Art-Poetry, and walked across the stage with the additional honor of having earned a Thesis with Distinction acknowledgment. We all met our deadlines this week, but there were a few minutes of non-work time happening on Monday when many Bees took advantage of the livestream WestConn offered and watched Sam receive her well-deserved diploma.

The celebration for our literary master continued Tuesday, when Sam returned to the office and found her desk covered gifts, flowers, balloons, and poetry either written or shared by her co-workers. Fellow Bees had been invited to craft their own poem to celebrate Sam, or copy and share one of their favorites. Sam was a little overwhelmed upon arrival. Once she composed herself she was kind enough to admire each writing sample, and declined to say which, if any, made her cringe.

Monday was also the second anniversary of Bill “The Machina” Glass’s tenure with this newspaper. Bill has been helping us tremendously during the past 24 months, taking and filing hundreds of photos from special events and making friends every time he’s out with his camera. We’ve heard from many people who have enjoyed his work. Cotton is the traditional gift for a second anniversary, and Bill has certainly demonstrated the ability to be resilient. Thank you friend, for everything you do for us and our readers.

Speaking of doing much for others, congratulations to longtime resident and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps member Tom Hanlon, who has been presented a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Danbury Hospital EMS/ER Department. The award recognizes individuals who have made a lasting and significant impact on Emergency Medical Services in Connecticut. Tom has definitely done that. He has been a member of NVAC for decades, and is regularly one of the top responders for the local corps. His is one of those kind voices you want to hear when you’re having a medical emergency, coupled with the professionalism that comes with years of hands-on experience.

Following a nice conversation with Jackie Prasauckas, I have a Good Egg Award to bestow this week. Jackie has asked that we recognize the above-and-beyond efforts of Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold and retired-Parks & Recs Assistant Director-Recreation Rose Ann Reggiano. I understand Jackie’s daughter, Kristin Prasauckas Humphrey, is hoping to start a dog park in Maine, where she moved to about three years ago. Kristin adopted a puppy in January and wants to create a place similar to the Park & Bark she remembers from home. Kristin mentioned her wish to Jackie, who in turn contacted Amy for some guidance. Amy reportedly put Jackie in touch with Roseann, who was not only very happy to offer her advice, she also arranged to get a book filled with notes, contact information and other details shipped to Kristin as a loan.

“They were both very encouraging, so helpful and so kind,” Jackie said. “I can’t say enough about both of them and everything they’re doing to help Kristin, and others, build a dog park.” I agree with Jackie’s suggestion. Amy and Rose Ann are both Good Eggs!

I missed the soft opening last weekend of the 2025 season of Night on The Farm at Shortt’s Farm and Garden Center & Ice Cream Stand. The Stacks Mobile food truck is on the schedule for the second consecutive summer, while our friend and former Editor John Voket is the 2025 musician in residence. If you also missed opening night, there are five additional events planned in as many months. Night on The Farm is planned for Friday, June 13; and then Mondays, July 14, August 11, September 8, and October 13, each running 5:30-8:30 pm at 52 Riverside Road.

The approaching weekend will be the final opportunity to buy Great Pootatuck Duck Race tickets in advance. The family-friendly event and major Newtown Lions Club fundraiser will return to Heritage Park on Glen Road on Saturday, May 31. Tickets continue to sell briskly for the event, which will run from 11 am to 3 pm with live music and performances, vendors, booths by local clubs and organizations, local first responders, and plenty of food offerings. The grand finale will be the dumping of a few thousand rubber ducks into the Pootatuck River at 2:30, and then subsequent awarding of prizes to those holding tickets that correspond to the first 20 ducks that cross the finish line.

This year’s race again features 20 prizes, with first place a weekend getaway and Sunday brunch at the lovely Saybrook Point Resort & Marina in Old Saybrook. Tickets are $10 whether purchased ahead or the day of the race, and all proceeds will go to charities that support vision and blindness prevention. Newtown Lions Club members plan to sell tickets Friday, May 23, from 5:30-7:30 pm, at My Place Restaurant and Carminuccio’s Pizza & Subs; Saturday, 8 am-noon, at Bagel Delight and Dunkin’ Donuts; and Sunday, 11 am-3 pm, at Stop & Shop.

The Hartford Courant had a fun story last weekend about the multiple nicknames Connecticut carries. We are the Constitution State, of course, and the Nutmeg State. We are also apparently living within the Blue Law State, The Land of Steady Habits, and even Provisions State. Most recently we have also been dubbed The Pizza State, as proclaimed by Governor Lamont in February 2024 and affirmed by Congress three months later.

Heading into the unofficial start of summer this holiday weekend, I hope you have plenty of provisions to enjoy your time, especially if you can gather with family and friends. If you’re local, don’t forget American Legion Post 202 has organized its annual Memorial Day Weekend Observance. All are invited to gather late Saturday afternoon at the Liberty and Peace Memorial on Main Street to take just a few minutes to remember why we have this time off. Lower your flag on Monday from sunrise to noon (only until noon, per flag etiquette).

Before you know it, it’ll nearly be time to come back here and … read me again.